Knitting & Sewing

One of the small highlights for a Neonatal Unit parent is choosing their baby's outfit for the day from the Neonatal Unit pool of clothing. This is only possible thanks to the kind donations of hand made items including hats and gowns from fabulous volunteers. Not only are the babies in Neonatal Unit often too small for regular baby clothes they have medical requirements which means that their clothing needs to be very particular. Only garments made from approved patterns can be used in Neonatal Units.

Thanks to our Neonatal Unit Care Package programme, parents also have the opportunity to receive an outfit which does not need to go back in to the communal pool of clothing and is theirs to keep. Additional details of the Neonatal Unit Care Package program can be found here.

Sewing and Knitting Patterns for Neonatal Unit Care Packages

Sewing instructions for our girls' and boys' outfits can be found here. Instructions on how to add press studs can be found here. Please refer to FAQs below for additional details about sending outfits without studs.

We are currently very low in stock of correctly sized 1.6kg and 1.2kg sized boys outfits! If you are able to assist with the sewing of boys' outfits that would be very greatly appreciated! Please ensure you check the FAQ below and the pattern's scale before sewing up a storm, thank you!

Patterns and relevant instructions for our beanies are linked below. Please note there are additional answers to FAQs on this page, below.

It is with great pleasure we welcome you as a Volunteer Sewer and/or Knitter of Tiny Sparks WA.

Volunteers are an integral part of our organisation, and we look forward to you sharing our vision “Improving the health and wellbeing of mothers enduring high risk pregnancies, newborns requiring the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery, and the communities supporting them in Western Australia.”

We thank you for your enthusiasm in volunteering to sew or knit items for our various programs, including our Care Package Program. We will periodically let you know of what items we are most in need of and any other specific areas that you can assist us with. Please note there is absolutely no minimum commitment associated with volunteering for Tiny Sparks WA.

If you have any ideas for improvement of our services or queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on admin@tinysparkswa.org.au. Please note that we are a wholly volunteer run organisation, so might not be able to respond to your request immediately.

Register as a Sewing and/or Knitting Volunteer with Tiny Sparks WA

Please complete the form to the right to register your interest as a knitting or sewing volunteer with Tiny Sparks WA.

Registering with us will ensure you are informed of new patterns when released, current stock levels and any change in our needs.

FAQs: Answers to Knitting and Sewing Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have my own pattern for a gown for premature babies, can I use this instead?

We are not able to utilise gowns from other patterns within our Neonatal Care Packages.

2. How do I know if I have printed the patterns at the correct size? It looks very small!

These outfits are very small! Patterns should be printed at a scale of 100% on A4 paper (do not select 'fit to page').. To check the printed pattern's size there is a reference square on each pattern which should measure 10 x 10mm (1x1cm) when printed correctly. If your square measures less than 9.5mm or more than 10.5mm this may significantly affect the size of the completed product.

3. What material is suitable for sewing the outfits?

Soft and lightweight cotton fabrics in fun patterns or colours are the preferred choice for outer fabric and soft, lightweight plain cotton fabrics for linings.

We cannot use poly-cottons (due to increased static and clinging) or satins, thick flannelette, jersey or fleece.

4. I don't have the equipment required to add the snaps, can I send my completed outfit without these?

Yes, absolutely! You are more than welcome to send sewn outfits completed up to the stage where press studs / snaps would be added and our sewing coordinator will arrange for this step to be completed.

5. Do I have to send an outfit with a matching beanie? Or can I provided the individual items?

We will gratefully accept any combination of only outfits, only beanies or outfits and beanies. We understand that not all sewers are knitters and vice versa!

6. Can I add other embellishments, embroidery or decorations to the outfits?

Minimal embellishments may be added to the front of the outfits that do not interfere with functionality nor contact babies skin directly.

7. What yarn is suitable for knitting the beanies?

Acrylic-wool blend or 100% acrylic yarns are suitable; we are not able to utilise 100% wool fabric due to hospital requirements. The pictured beanies were knitted with 4ply wool. Variances in wool and needles may result in slightly different overall sizing, however please use the measurements within the linked instructions for overall sizing guides.

8. I can't knit but I love to crochet! Can I still help?

Crochet beanies don't tend to stretch as well as knitted beanies however if you have a stretchy pattern pattern we are happy to accept these.

9. Do the babies in the Neonatal Unit need winter clothes? Can I help with some of these?

The Neonatal Units are kept very warm! The babies in humidicribs may have additional warming within the crib and therefore lightweight clothes (such as our provided patterns) are all that these babies need and therefore winter clothing is not required in these sizes.

10. I've sent some items but have not received any feedback and don't know if you need any more?

We are very sorry if you have not received any communication from Tiny Sparks WA regarding your generous donations, they are all very much appreciated and your efforts have not gone unnoticed! Please remember to include an email address or mobile phone number within your package in order to receive communication. Once a month or as volunteer time allows, all donations are sorted and logged, then donors are notified of their parcels safe arrival. Please be patient if you have been waiting a couple of weeks.

11. How can I stay up to date with what's going on?

Please check regularly within our newsletter and on this knitting and sewing page for updates on our requirements.

12. Can I drop my item in to your office rather than posting them?

To keep our overheads low, we have chosen not to set up an office. However, keep your eye open for our busy bees which we hold periodically throughout the year as you are welcome to drop off then.

13. I have other items that I think you might like, can I send them too?

We are currently only able to accept gowns made from our patterns, beanies and wraps. If you post in other items we will pass them on to other organisations that we work with as we are unable to use them ourselves. If you are from a knitting group and have a large donation of knee rugs or prem/infant cardigans we may be able to accept these on a one off basis and you should contact us directly to make the appropriate arrangements, admin@tinysparkswa.org.au

Content on this Site is provided for general information only. It is not intended as professional advice, and should not be relied upon as asubstitute for consultations with qualified professionals who can determine your individual needs. Images and information on this website are copyright. You do not have permission to copy, download or use without our express consent.

Tiny Sparks WA

Igniting the fire within.

Tiny Sparks WA is Western Australia's premier charity for high-risk pregnancies and babies born sick or premature.